[He nods, tight-lipped, blinking back the tears. And when that doesn't work, he uses the sleeve of his jacket to scrub them away. So much for hiding it.
He's never really talked about Percy, aside from admitting he had feelings. Had his memories and feelings forced out of him, yes. But never just ... talked about it. He sighs.] I've always liked him, from the very start. He saved me from a manticore, and that was it. [He scoffs, smiling a little.] I guess I'm a sucker for heroes. I was too young to really know what it meant, but I knew it was wrong. Or ... I mean, I thought... [He shrugs uncomfortably.] Even when I hated him, I still... I hated that I couldn't hate him. [I hated myself. But he won't say that out loud.]